As the devoted granddaughter of the late Helen Shea, who was once a proud resident of County Cork, Ireland, I marked the arrival of the New Year with a cherished family tradition: at midnight, I opened the back door of my house to let 2025 depart and then opened the front door to welcome in 2026, embracing all the new promises the year may hold! 

A Town of Highland workshop meeting is scheduled at Town Hall on Tuesday, January 6th, beginning at 7pm, to discuss new reorganization policies. During the meeting, there will be an installation ceremony for recently appointed and elected officials, with Supreme Court Justice, The Honorable William Little, overseeing the swearing-in. The officials include John Pizzolato-Town of Highland Supervisor, Sonia Kidney -Town Clerk, Dr. Christopher Dickey for Town Board, Joe Barnes as Town of Highland Highway Superintendent, and Board member, Frank Monteleone as Deputy Town Supervisor. Local actress and singer Erin Crosby will participate. Everyone in the community is invited to attend and join the ceremony and enjoy the cake and coffee reception.

The Barryville Community Church will be celebrating the Hispanic Three Kings Day celebration starting at 10am on Sunday, January 11th starting at 10am. Three Kings or Dia de los Reyes (Epiphany) celebrates the arrival of the three Magi (Wise Men) Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar to Bethlehem. Originally from early Christian church traditions that date back to the 12th century, it became a major holiday celebrated in Latin American cultures and in Spain. The Day includes gift-giving to children and a King Cake-a brioche wreath filled with cinnamon, dried fruit, nuts, and citrus zest. Modern versions use a bundt shape cake, topped with multicolored sugars, and hide a small plastic "feve" (representing the Christ child) inside. Whoever finds the “feve” in their slice wins a prize. King cakes are also made during Mardi Gras. The Barryville Community Church along with Pastor Charles Perez will be having traditional Dia De Los Tres Reyes festivities including a free delicious Spanish meal and all children will be getting gifts from the Three Wise Men. For planning purposes please text Pastor Perez at 973-901-2903. The Barryville Community Church is located at 3396 State Route 97 in Barryville next to the Oasis. 

A “save the date” alert. Mark Sunday, March 15^th starting at 1pm for the official St Patrick’s Day Parade which takes place in Yulan. An announcement recently made by the Parade Committee- The Marion O’Neill Culture Club naming two Grand Marshals for the 2026 Parade- Debra Conway, the Town of Highland Historian and John Conway the Sullivan County Historian. Since 2026 is the 250^th Anniversary of the Second Continental Congress and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, this will be one of the highlighted themes of the Parade. There will be other Parade-related events happening and I will be providing updates once the Parade Committee confirms them. If you have any questions or are interested in being part of the Parade, please contact me at paulacam@verizon.net.